Spicy Turmeric & Garlic Crusted Chicken
Healthy and Extremely Flavorful!
(Revised from Nov, 2013)
This has to be one of my most favorite recipes that I created awhile back! It is packed with flavor, high in nutrition, and loaded with anti-inflammatory nutrients! What more could you ask for?
The key ingredients are Turmeric, Garlic, and Cayenne.
Turmeric has received a lot of attention lately and deservedly so! Curcumin, an active substance found in turmeric, is more than a powerful antioxidant. Studies are now proving what Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have known for thousands of years – this healing spice, is truly a miracle medicinal root!
Some of the health conditions that turmeric has been shown to be effective in treating are:
-Inflammation
-Blood clots (prevention)
-Digestive issues
-Atherosclerosis (plaquing of the arteries)
-Pain Syndromes
-High Cholesterol
-Cancer
-Bacterial and viral infections
Interestingly, most of the above conditions are a result of inflammation! So by reducing inflammation in your body, you are also addressing these conditions.
Garlic, an allium vegetable grouped with other similar vegetables such as onions, chives, and scallions, has also received much attention recently, specifically for its anti-cancer properties. Some other health conditions that can be helped by garlic are:
-DNA Damage
-High Cholesterol
-Atherosclerosis
-Hypertension
-Heart Disease
-Cancer (Including Brain cancer)
-AILI (Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury)
-Inflammation
As you can see, many of the healing properties of garlic are the same as turmeric! But how do they taste together?
One word – YUM!
But wait! There is one more major component to this anti-inflammatory recipe! Cayenne! From Studies Prove The Curing Power of Cayenne:
“Cayenne pepper is actually a bit controversial because it is a member of the nightshade family along with potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and various other types of peppers. In fact, there are many people who believe that cayenne can cause inflammation! So what gives?
Well, not everyone enjoys the spicy kick of cayenne and luckily, whether you add this spice to a recipe or not, it really doesn’t change the fundamental flavor of the dish. With that said…
Nightshade vegetables, in general, have received a bad rap because it is believed that they can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and inflammation. However, cayenne is unique and a bit of an enigma to the nightshade family. Studies have now shown that capsaicin, a component found in Cayenne (and other peppers), actually reduces inflammation.”
Other health conditions that cayenne may help are:
-Cancer
-Congestion
-Arthritis
-Joint & muscle pain
-Hypertension
-Heart Attack Prevention
-Heartburn
-Infection
So now that you know the benefits of these ingredients, let’s get to the recipe!
My personal favorite is chickens legs, but any part of the chicken works great!
(As a vegetarian option, these flavors work well on green beans, mixed in a veggie broth, or even as a topping for homemade flatbread)
For best results, always use fresh, organic ingredients!
Ingredients:
-Grapeseed oil
-Chicken
–Turmeric powder
-Fresh garlic (or powder)
–Cayenne
–Sea salt
–Cilantro
–Honey, raw sugarcane, or coconut sugar
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Rub the chicken with the Grapeseed oil. If you choose to use honey, then apply a light coating on the chicken after the Grapeseed oil (If you opt for a bit of raw sugarcane, then this will be applied at the end).
If you prefer fresh garlic, then spread the garlic at this point. (If you choose garlic powder, then you will apply it after the turmeric).
Sprinkle turmeric generously followed by garlic powder. Add some sea salt, and then a pinch of cayenne. If you love spicy food like I do, then don’t be afraid to give a few good shakes of the pepper!
Of course the sugar is optional, but if you choose this option over the honey, then simply sprinkle some raw sugarcane (or coconut sugar) on top of the chicken! The sugar adds an incredible richness to the flavor! It doesn’t take much, so don’t overdo it!
Put the chicken in the oven and if you are cooking legs, cook for 25 – 30 minutes. Remember that cooking times vary depending on what part of the chicken you are using and if the chicken is boneless or bone in. Once cooked, sprinkle a bit of cilantro over the top for a wonderful garnish (optional)!
I hope you enjoy this recipe! It certainly is a fav in my home!
is a board-certified Chiropractic Physician and Life Coach who also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology, and a minor in Medical Research. She is a life-long athlete who after curing herself 100% naturally from MS and anxiety, became an avid nutrition health researcher/promoter.
She has been featured in many Health magazines and has been a guest on radio talk shows in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. She is the author of Health Freedom Revolution: Exposing the Lies, Deceit and Greed of the Medical Profession, Founder of Online Holistic Health, and a contributing writer for other popular informative health website/blogs.
She is the host of Holistic Health Radio – where she discusses how she recovered her health as well as other hot health topics, and she is also co-founder of Crazy Meets Common Sense! – The Podcast that Makes Sense Out of the Crazy, to Help You Live a More Healthy, Fulfilling and Empowering Life!
